La Tuta's son arrested

Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat

During a press conference, the head of the Ministry of State Security (SSPE), Carlos Hugo Castellanos Becerra, revealed that, on Monday night a man named Luis Alfredo Aguilera Esquivel was arrested. 

The  23-year-old, was identified as  the son of Servando Gómez Martínez, alias "La Tuta", maximum leader of Caballeros Templarios cartel..

In an operation by the SSPE and the Attorney General of the State (PGJE); the detainee was arrested and  in possession of a check for a million pesos, plus 10 thousand dollars in cash.  He is being investigated on charges of kidnapping and extortion in the city of Los Reyes, the official said.

Along with Luis Alfredo Aguilera, an accomplice was also arrested named Cristian Salinas Ruiz, 30.

The public safety secretary explained that all data has corroborated the fact that  Aguilera Esquivel is a descendant of La Tuta, "mainly because the accused made a historical narrative explaining  how Servando Gomez is related to him and is in fact his father," said Carlos Hugo Castellanos  adding: "I want to clarify that the prisoner said in his statement, that his given name  does not match surnames of his “father”, since he is not legally recognized."

Aguilera Esquivel has illegitimate birth status in Mexico.  Children born out of wedlock must be formally recognized to attain legal birthright status, if the detainee’s story is factual, that would explain the difference in surnames.

The basis of proof of his parentage, seems to be solely the assertion of the relationship by the detainee.  However, Aguilera Esquivel was apprehended with a large amount of Templarios extortion funds, and he offered the personal information.  There would be no reason for him to fabricate the information and many reasons not to.

Castellanos Becerra said the alleged son of Servando Gómez and his companion were captured  in Los Reyes  "at the time they  were extorting  a large sum of money in check and cash discovered on him when arrested.”

He also revealed;  "According to investigations, in January, 2014,  the extortion victim  was kidnapped by people who claimed to belong to a “criminal group  operating in the area”.

In lieu of the immediate payment of ransom, the victim, an avocado farmer, was released but was forced to sign a document, a promissory note; agreeing to forward a massive payment in June 2014.

But, earlier this week, the victim received a threatening call demanding a partial payment.  He agreed to provide a portion of the requested funds, to prevent harm to him and his family.

And it is those funds, in check and cash that was discovered with Aguilera Esquivel when apprehended. Additionally, 550 grams of meth and 30 packets of meth were found in the possession of the detainee.

"The defendants provided details of the organizational structure of the Caballeros Templarios, the criminal group to which they belong." Stated SSPE spokesman Christian Salinas

Sources used to write this post: Cambio, La Voz, Facebook, Esquema